First, get a slip cover made for your sofa out of this joyous floral from Robert Allen, Kiki-color pinata. Don’t be afraid, you’re going to love it, I promise! And this fabric is super sturdy, with a 30,000 double rub rating. That means you can let the monkeys jump on the sofa, no problem!

Then add a couple of cheerful pieces from Maine Cottage. The look is whimsical, but the quality is very serious. This is some solid furniture, and the paint finishes are as tough as they are beautiful. In my neighborhood, we get our Maine Cottage fix from Wendy Gee! right on Boston Post Rd, in Larchmont, NY. At Wendy Gee! it’s spring all year round. I highly recommend a visit. Just browsing there always cheers me up!

MAINCOTTAGEFURNITUREoeut984tulvi8enukievurtyolviuntiserj0w93f857yl8nytlnirhfcwo8iytvsieylnierylieulWendy Gee! also sells these rugs from Dash and Albert. This particular one is an indoor-outdoor rug. That means you can take it outside and hose it down, no worries!

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For the table top, check out these floral plates and towels from Crate and Barrel.They do spring right! I guess somebody there knows that we need a little cheering up, and beige just wont do! What could be nicer, first thing in the morning, than a bagel with flowers!

February 22, 2010

…And everyone should! Almost any room can double as a home library: A dining room, an extra wall in a bedroom, even a hallway.

Having a designated spot for books, family photos and small art objects, can also help in creating an overall sense of crispness and serenity in the rest of your house, by keeping the bric-a-brac from getting out of hand!

This pretty photo is from Coastal Living

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The Granemo bookcase from Ikea is a great place to start. One alone is enough to qualify as a “library”. If you have room for two in a row, or two making a corner, then your really ready to start collecting…books, small art works, whatever you fancy.

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Now all that’s needed is a SUPREMELY comfortable chair, a little table, and a reading lamp. Crate and Barrel’s Hathaway Swivel Glider is perfect for me.

When looking for “supreme comfort”, it’s best to play Goldie Locks, by sitting in few different chairs before choosing one. The level of comfort is very subjective, and also depends a lot on a person’s size!

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The nesting tables are from Crate and Barrel. The reading lamp is from Restoration Hardware.

And that’s it! All you need now, is your favorite book, a hot cup of tea, and time to relax!

The Mamaroneck Artist’s Guild, known as MAG does a great job representing artist’s from the Lower Westchester area. Everything they show is of the highest quality. Here are some pieces from their collection I put together to “art up” a prospective sophisticated living room in a cool modern palette with splashes of hot color. I dipped into photography, painting, sculpture and woodcuts. What Fun!!

This just a tiny smattering of the gorgeous art represented by MAG. I’m so proud to have an art gallery with such a broad and eclectic collection, right here in my little town of Larchmont New York! Click here to get a peek at what they’re showing right now. If you’re thinking of coming from Manhattan, it’s just a ten minute walk from Larchmont Train Station.

Which comes first, the art or the fabrics? In this case the art came first, and I was inspired by it to create a collection of coordinating fabrics. Here’s what I came up with for our proposed living room:lsdkjfowiejflskdfloiesldnlsjf;ldflsihslnlskjdfswejfskdnflsflsdnflskdflsif;slf;sdlj;sishdlskd.x,cnvxkhdflsnc.x,vlskdhlskvl

It’s time for a Gothic Revival-Revival! Do you have a tendency toward romanticism and flights of fancy? Are you fond of pointed arches, deep carvings, curvaceous tracery? Are you a secret lover of vampire literature, television and cinema? Guess what: YOU’RE GOTH! No, I don’t mean you have to go out and get body piercings and buy lots of black clothes! I mean you should look at this gorgeous, influential movement in American design.

In Tarrytown, New York (in the southern part of Westchester County,a little north of New York City) is Lyndhurst Castle, one of the finest, extravagantly beautiful OPEN TO THE PUBLIC examples of Gothic Revival architecture and interiors in America.

Lyndhurst Castle Tarrytown, NY

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In the mid 18th century, with the rise of Romanticism, an increased interest and awareness of the Middle Ages among some influential connoisseurs created a more appreciative approach to selected medieval arts, beginning with church architecture, the tomb monuments of nobility, stained glass, and late Gothic illuminated manuscripts. The movement quickly swept through Europe, finally taking deep root in America, becoming the style of choice for the newly wealthy industrialist class, and infamous robber barons!

Lyndhurst was designed in 1838 by Andrew Jackson Davis, for William Paulding, a former mayor of New York and merchant. The house, as it stands today, was further formed by the Merrit Family and the famous railroad tycoon, Jay Gould.

In person, Lyndhurst Castle is both more impressive, and less daunting than the photography suggests. Many children grew up in Lyndhurst, and the little nursery rooms,( quite near to the Master Bedroom) are on display, complete with a pair of old fashioned little girl's button up boots. Within sight of the main house, is a perfect play house called Rose Cottage.

The rooms are large and filled with beautiful detail of the Gothic Revival period, but not heavy or oppressive. Though spacious, the brilliant architecture of A.J. Davis manages to keep it on a human scale. Faux finishes became quite the fashion out of Europe in the later Gothic period, and Lyndhurst is filled with the finest examples I've ever seen of faux limestone and marble, and other forms of decorative painted surfaces. Really, the only word is INCREDIBLE! This is decorative painting elevated to the level of fine art.

Hey, did you know that Lyndhurst Mansion was used as the house set for the classic TV series from the late 60’s-early 70’s “Dark Shadows”? I was strangely drawn to watch it, but my Mom wouldn’t let me because it gave me nightmares! Boo Hoo!!

I can’t resist including this heartbreakingly beautiful painting by my favorite artist of the Gothic Revival era, Sir Edward Burne-Jones. This piece is NOT at Lyndhurst. It’s at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I’m showing it here, because it embodies so much of the dreamy romantic quality of the Gothic Revival movement…and I LOVE IT!

Like the iconic painting “American Gothic” (1930) by Grant Wood,(titled for the pointed arch window depicted in the farm house) Gothic Revival just keeps on going!
Is Gothic Revival still relevant? Yes it is, and guess what. Far from being relegated to Grandma’s attic, it’s influences are all around us and have never really gone out of style or usage. They’ve just evolved. You don’t have to be a wealthy robber baron to take part. Here are some examples of Gothic Revival today:

Gothic Revival printed fabric form the period.

Kravet #28247-613

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More beautiful fabrics that display the Gothic influence:

Whimsical, dreamy, fanciful; Mackenzie Childs has built a whole sub-category and career on elaborating on these qualities (already present) in Gothic Revival, to create something new and current, built on design of the past. Fabulous!!

Mackenzie Childs at Neiman Marcus

Mackenzie Childs: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll was published in 1865 at the height of the Gothic Revival. Alice is the only thing missing from this fantastical display!

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Architectural touches from the period you can add to even the most contemporary setting:

These reclaimed beauties are available from www.bygones.net

From www.jmjoinery.com,brand new Gothic windows ready for installation.

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Here are some current furnishings that bear the unmistakable influence of the Gothic Revival period:

Walz Craft is wonderful! Any door style you can think of, they’ve got it. And they’re terrific to work with. Their interpretation of a Gothic cabinet door has the beauty and grace of the past, combined with unsurpassed function.

This would make a great hallway piece. From www.pine-on-line.com

Here are some decorative touches you can use that will add some of the old world beauty of Gothic Revival to your home:

The print on my outdoor pillows from Restoration Hardware (2 or 3 years old) is pure Gothic Revival. Their current prints are too!

Lyndhurst is one of five exquisite historical mansion museums in the Lower Westchester area of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, NY. The Lower Hudson River Valley region is rich with history on display. It’s the best way I know to time travel, and get a shot of inspiration from the past.

So, if you’re coming around, I wouldn’t worry too much about vampires, but you better watch out for a HEADLESS HORSEMAN! I hear he’s still running around these parts!

The Headless Horseman from Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

If you love VINTAGE GOODIES and BARGAINS, you need to visit my charming Town of Mamaroneck and it’s equally charming Village of Larchmont. We have some real treasure troves here, and all are in walking distance to each other, or to the Larchmont or Mamaroneck train stations. (about 35 minutes from Grand Central) Hey, NEW YORK INTERIOR DESIGNERS, GET OVER HERE!

Lumonosov China pattern Cobalt Net, part of the June 15 auction to take place at the C&C Auction Gallery in Larchmont.

This Lumonosov set is unbelievable! There are pieces of every description, napkin rings, soup tureens, coffee pot, tea pot etc, etc...It never ends!

Did you know we have our very own genuine auction house? C&C Auction Gallery, tucked away on North St in Larchmont, it’s an interior designer or collector’s HEAVEN! There are bargains galore on really beautiful pieces of every description, like this HUGE set of blue and white dishes to die for! If you’ve never participated in an auction, you’re in for a thrill. Over 150 pieces will be auctioned off at their upcoming event on June 15, 2009. Here are a few things that caught my eye:

OMG! The expected selling price for this classic piece is $300 to $500!!

A pretty collecton of teacups and saucers.

This exquisite etagere is expected to sell for $200 to $300!!

Here in Lower Westchester and the Mamaroneck-Larchmont area, Chatsworth Used Furniture has been a well known and loved staple for generations. It’s been owned and run by the Lightbody Family, since 1924. Mamaroneck just wouldn’t be Mamaroneck without it! There are 4 huge floors to explore, so give yourself plenty of time! I’ve spent many happy hours wandering their aisles. If you’re an interior designer, you could really get stuff done here! Vintage dining sets, china, lighting, bedroom pieces,upholstery,rugs, the works! If you’re a collector of Vintage, you’ll have a blast! Just remember they’re closed on Sunday and Monday, and check for their week off in August.

OK, I need the pair of flame stitch Bergere Chairs

Oh, where to begin! Dishes anyone?

I have just the spot for the blanket chest.

In Larchmont,( just a few steps from Larchmont train station), at Carol Charney, you’ll find a very different experience. In her polished and perfumed showroom, Charney’s vintage pieces are lovingly restored and displayed. Here’s a small sampling:

Vintage eye candy!

Vintage mirror, pristine, and ready to hang.

Designer’s Corner in Larchmont is another one of those fun places for exploring. You never know what you’ll find! For me, it’s THE place for vintage light fixtures. Other Larchmont-Mamaroneck spots have them, but Designer’s Corner has their own on site lighting restoration specialist. And the collection is expansive. Here’s a small colorful selection:lskdjflseifjlskdjfosielfjlsdkfhlsieflskdhflsiehfksdhflsiehflskdhflshhDes